Bexhill ease to cup victory

Bexhill’s cricketers eased to victory at home to Rye in round one of the Gray-Nicolls Sussex T20 Cup yesterday (Saturday).
Jamie Bristow-Diamond returned exceptional bowling figures of 5-5 during Bexhill's comfortable win over RyeJamie Bristow-Diamond returned exceptional bowling figures of 5-5 during Bexhill's comfortable win over Rye
Jamie Bristow-Diamond returned exceptional bowling figures of 5-5 during Bexhill's comfortable win over Rye

Sussex Premier League outfit Bexhill posted 146-5 from their 20 overs batting first before bowling out Division Four newcomers Rye for just 60 in reply to complete an 86-run win.

Although Bexhill lost captain Malcolm Johnson for just four early on in their innings, fellow opener Callum Guest made 18 and Max Finzel helped put them on course for a useful total with 45 at number three.

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John Haffenden chipped in with 10, but Shawn Johnson was the star of the innings with 54 at number five. The two standout bowlers for Rye were Gary Willis (3-22 from four overs) and young Harry Smeed (2-14 off four).

Willis was the only Rye batsman to reach double figures in reply, though, with an unbeaten 11 at number eight. Jamie Bristow-Diamond was the architect of their downfall with outstanding figures of 5-5 off three overs.

Overseas player Dean Crawford, whose four overs cost him just five runs, Shawn Johnson and Guest chipped in with a wicket each as Rye were bowled out in the 19th over in their first ever competitive game as a Sussex League club.

Bexhill were also victorious in the opening round of the Gray-Nicolls Sussex 2nd XI T20 Cup, winning by 30 runs away to fellow Sussex Cricket League 2nd XI Division One outfit Hastings Priory.

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Tom Powell hit 36 and Josh Beeslee 39 not out as Bexhill totalled 115-8 batting first despite Jed O’Brien returning the impressive figures of 3-8 from three overs and Cameron Smith picking up 2-22.

Jake Woolley (21), Malakai De-Morgan (15) and Scott Woodroffe (10) were the only players to reach double figures in reply as Priory were bowled out for 85. Jamie Wicks took three wickets, and there were two each for Beeslee and Neil Blatchly.